ADDRESSABLE OUTLET, AND A NETWORK USING THE SAME
An addressable outlet for use as part of local area network based on wiring installed in a building, such as telephone, electrical, cable television, dedicated wiring, and the like. The use of such wiring for data communications networks in addition to the wiring's primary usage creates a need for ways of determining the condition of the network and monitoring this information remotely. Network condition includes such factors as continuity of wiring, connector status, connected devices, topology, signal delays, latencies, and routing patterns. Providing basic processing and addressing capabilities within the outlet permits messaging to and from specific individual outlets, thereby allowing inquiries and reports of the condition of the immediate environment of each outlet. In addition, outlets can be configured with sensors to report on voltage, temperature, and other measurable quantities.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/491,989, filed on Apr. 7, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of wired Local Area Networks (LAN's) using outlets, and, more specifically, to an addressable outlet for use in such networks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION OutletsThe term “outlet” herein denotes an electro-mechanical device, which facilitates easy, rapid connection and disconnection of external devices to and from wiring installed within a building. An outlet commonly has a fixed connection to the wiring, and permits the easy connection of external devices as desired, commonly by means of an integrated connector in a faceplate. The outlet is normally mechanically attached to, or mounted in, a wall. Non-limiting examples of common outlets include: telephone outlets for connecting telephones and related devices; CATV outlets for connecting television sets, VCR's, and the like; and electrical outlets for connecting power to electrical appliances. The term “wall” herein denotes any interior or exterior surface of a building, including, but not limited to, ceilings and floors, in addition to vertical walls.
LAN EnvironmentAlthough
The topology of network 10 as shown in
Troubleshooting such failures requires disconnecting cables and inserting dedicated test equipment or making elaborate and thorough substitutions of components that are known to be functional. Such procedures are complicated, labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive. Furthermore, in the common case of an outlet to which no data unit is connected, there is no simple way to test the continuity of wiring from the hub to the outlet. In addition, in many cases it is necessary to test the LAN from a remote place (such as via the Internet) in cases where it is not possible to attach testing equipment to non-connected outlets.
Discussion of network management and example of network management system are part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,750 to Dev et al.
Home NetworkingMost existing offices and some of the newly built buildings facilitate the network structure of network 10. However, implementing such a network in existing buildings typically requires installation of new wiring infrastructure. Such installation of new wiring may be impractical, expensive and hassle-oriented. As a result, many technologies (referred to as “no new wires” technologies) have been proposed in order to facilitate a LAN in a building without adding new wiring. Some of these techniques use existing wiring used also for other purposes such as telephone, electricity, cable television, and so forth. Doing so offers the advantage of being able to install such systems and networks without the additional and often substantial cost of installing separate wiring within the building. In order to facilitate multiple use of wiring within a building, specialized outlets are sometimes installed, which allow access to the wiring for multiple purposes. An example of home networking over coaxial cables using outlets is described in WO 02/065229 published 22 August, 2002 entitled: ‘Cableran Networking over Coaxial Cables’ to Cohen et al.
The use of such wiring for additional purposes creates a need for ways of easily determining the condition of the wiring and obtaining this information remotely.
Home networking using existing telephone lines will be described as an example.
DEFINITIONS AND BACKGROUNDThe term “telephony” herein denotes in general any kind of telephone service, including analog and digital service, such as Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).
Analog telephony, popularly known as “Plain Old Telephone Service” (“POTS”) has been in existence for over 100 years, and is well-designed and well-engineered for the transmission and switching of voice signals in the 3-4 KHz portion (or “band”) of the audio spectrum. The familiar POTS network supports real-time, low-latency, high-reliability, moderate-fidelity voice telephony, and is capable of establishing a session between two end-points, each using an analog telephone set.
The terms “telephone”, “telephone set”, and “telephone device” herein denote any apparatus, without limitation, which can connect to a Public Switch Telephone Network (“PSTN”), including apparatus for both analog and digital telephony, non-limiting examples of which are analog telephones, digital telephones, facsimile (“fax”) machines, automatic telephone answering machines, voice modems, and data modems.
The terms “data unit”, “computer” and “personal computer” (“PC”) as used herein include workstations and other data terminal equipment (DTE) with interfaces for connection to a local area network
In-home telephone service usually employs two or four wires, to which telephone sets are connected via telephone outlets.
Home Networking Over Telephone Lines.Junction box 34 separates the in-home circuitry from the PSTN and is used as a test facility for troubleshooting as well as for new wiring in the home. A plurality of telephones may connect to telephone lines 5 via a plurality of telephone outlets. Each outlet has a connector (often referred to as a “jack”), commonly being in the form of RJ-11 connectors in North-America. Each outlet may be connected to a telephone unit via a compatible “plug” connector that inserts into the jack.
Wiring 5 is usually based on a serial or “daisy-chained” topology, wherein the wiring is connected from one outlet to the next in a linear manner; but other topologies such as star, tree, or any arbitrary topology may also be used. Regardless of the topology, however, the telephone wiring system within a residence always uses wired media: two or four copper wires terminating in one or more outlets which provide direct access to these wires for connecting to telephone sets.
It is often desirable to use existing telephone wiring simultaneously for both telephony and data networking. In this way, establishing a new local area network in a home or other building is simplified, because there is no need to install additional wiring.
The concept of frequency domain/division multiplexing (FDM) is well-known in the art, and provides means of splitting the bandwidth carried by a wire into a low-frequency band capable of carrying an analog telephony signal and a high-frequency band capable of carrying data communication or other signals. Such a mechanism is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,448 to Reichert et al. (hereinafter referred to as “Reichert”). Also widely used are xDSL systems, primarily Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL) systems.
Examples of relevant prior-art in this field are the technology commonly known as HomePNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance), WO 99/12330 to Foley and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,443 to Dichter (hereinafter referred to as “Dichter”). Dichter and others suggest a method and apparatus for applying a frequency domain/division multiplexing (FDM) technique for residential telephone wiring, enabling the simultaneous carrying of telephony and data communication signals. The available bandwidth over the wiring is split into a low-frequency band capable of carrying an analog telephony signal, and a high-frequency band capable of carrying data communication signals. In such a mechanism, telephony is not affected, while a data communication capability is provided over existing telephone wiring within a home.
In addition to illustrating a residential telephone system,
WO 01/71980 published Sep. 27, 2001 entitled “Telephone Outlet and System for a Local Area Network Over Telephone Lines” in the name of the present inventor and assigned to the present assignee, describes the integration of DCE 25, HPF 24, and LPF 23 components into outlets 21 in order to reduce complexity, as shown in
The topology of network 20 as shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,082 entitled Data flow control arrangement for local area network (Delaney eL al.) published Nov. 22, 1988 discloses a local data distribution network wherein a plurality of bi-directional data distribution busses are each connected to a bus master control circuit at a terminal end of the bus. Connected to each of the data distribution busses are a plurality of passive outlets to which intelligent connectors or stations may be connected. Each station has a unique address and is utilized for individually coupling data processing devices to the bus. A bus termination hub switching facility cooperates with the included group of bus master control circuits to interconnect data processing stations on the various busses. The bus termination hub facility includes bus monitoring, status polling and maintenance facilities. A faulty bus is disconnected if a fault is discovered during monitoring intervals. It remains disconnected until the fault is corrected.
JP 55132197A2 published Oct. 14, 1980 in the name of Sharp Corporation and entitled “Unit Controlling Electric Equipment Making Use of House Wiring” relates to the control of electrical equipment connected to house wiring. An address information signal is sent through a coupling unit from a transmission controller to house wiring. On the reception side, reception controllers receive the address information signal through coupling units inserted into sockets provided at respective positions of the house wiring. From one of controllers whose incorporated address information agrees with the received address information, answer information is sent back to the transmission side. On the transmission side, an operation command code is sent out upon receiving the answer information from the reception side so as to control electric equipment.
In both above prior art patents, passive outlets are used, hence there is no way to distinguish between a failure in the wiring into which the outlets are connected, and a failure in the wiring/equipment connected to the outlet.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a method and system for allowing remote diagnosis of LAN environment outlets without requiring local access to the network and without dismantling the network. This goal is met by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to allow convenient determination of the status of installed wiring within a building, and the outlets and connectors thereto.
It is a further object of the present invention to allow convenient determination of the condition of devices and apparatus connected to the various outlets of an installed wiring system. It is moreover an object of the present invention to permit such determination remotely.
In order to attain these objectives, the present invention provides an outlet having an address which uniquely identifies the outlet within an information network that is established, at least in part, over wiring to which the outlet is connected. Associated with this unique network address is processing circuitry and an addressing unit capable of storing and utilizing the unique network address, to allow the outlet to receive and send messages associated with the address. The processing circuitry interfaces with the network to support such messaging, and may generate content for messages to be sent to other devices on the network, and may likewise receive and process messages sent to the outlet from other devices. The unique network address is associated with both the sending and receiving of messages over the network. In the case of receiving messages, the unique address allows the circuitry in the outlet to discriminate between messages intended for that outlet and messages intended for other devices. In the case of sending messages, the unique address serves to identify the source of the message. Because addresses are associated both with senders and receivers, the processing circuitry may respond to messages sent to the outlet from other devices by sending messages from the outlet to other devices.
Outlets according to the present invention include, but are not limited to, electrical power outlets, telephone outlets, and cable television outlets.
The term “information network” herein denotes any system that allows multiple devices to send and receive information of any kind, wherein each device may be uniquely identified for purposes of sending and receiving information. Information networks include, but are not limited to, data networks, control networks, cable networks, and telephone networks. A data network utilizing outlets according to the present invention can be a local area network (LAN) or part of a wide-area network, including the Internet.
Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided an outlet for use with wiring installed in a building, and having at least one address that uniquely identifies the outlet within an information network.
The invention is herein described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The principles and operation of a network according to the present invention may be understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. The drawings and descriptions are conceptual only. In actual practice, a single component can implement one or more functions; alternatively, each function can be implemented by a plurality of components and circuits. In the drawings and descriptions, identical reference numerals indicate those components that are common to different embodiments or configurations.
Managed devices such as managed hub, managed switch and router are known in the art. Outlet 30 may be viewed as a managed device housed within an outlet.
Powering the outlet 30 can be implemented either locally, by connecting a power supply to each outlet, or, preferably, via the network itself. In the latter case, commonly known as “Power over LAN”, the power can be carried to the outlet from a central location either by an additional wire pair, using the well-known phantom configuration, or by the FDM (Frequency Division/Domain Multiplexing) method. The latter commonly employs DC feeding, which is frequency-isolated from the data carried in the higher part of the spectrum.
In another embodiment, the present invention is used in a data network over in-building telephone lines, where analog telephony signals are carried in the low-frequency portion of the spectrum, and data communication signals are carried in the high-frequency portion.
Although the invention has been so far demonstrated as relating to telephone wiring and telephone outlets, the invention can be similarly applied to any type of wired networking within a building, such as CATV or electrical power wiring.
Although the invention has been so far described as relating to Ethernet/IP-based data networks, the invention can be similarly applied to any type of data network. Furthermore, although packet networks are the most common for local area networks, the invention is not restricted to packet networks only, and can be applied to any digital data network, where network entities are identified uniquely by addresses.
Furthermore, although the invention has been described as relating to networks based on continuous electrical conducting media (telephone, CATV, or electrical power), and the relevant modem and associated circuitry are connected in parallel to the wiring infrastructure, the invention can be applied equally to the case wherein the wiring is not continuous, but is in discrete segments. Such an arrangement is disclosed in WO 0007322 published Feb. 10, 2000 and entitled “Local Area Network of Serial Intelligent Cells” in the name of the present inventor and assigned to the present assignee.
Although outlets 30, 50 and 80 are each described above as having a single data connection, it is to be understood that multiple data network interfaces can be included within an outlet, each connected to different port of the respective hub (such as hub 11a, as shown in
In addition, although the present invention has been described with respect to a single address associated with each outlet, it will be appreciated that multiple addresses can also be assigned to an outlet. Different addresses can be associated with different data ports and/or with different functionalities of the outlet thus improving fault isolation by separately addressing the addressable data ports or functionalities until an absence of a response signal to a diagnostic message indicates that the addressed port and/or functionality of the outlet is faulty or that there is a break in the connection path thereto.
While the invention has been described with regard to local area networks, wherein the fault is localized locally, it will be appreciated that assigning addresses to outlets facilitates also remote diagnostics and fault localization. Such a network 90 is described in
Claims
1. A device for coupling data units in a building to the Internet over a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from a CATV video frequency band, said device comprising:
- a coaxial connector for connecting to the coaxial cable;
- a coaxial cable modem for transmitting and receiving digital data over the coaxial cable;
- a first filter coupled between said coaxial connector and said coaxial cable modem for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band;
- a first data port for coupling to a first data unit;
- a first transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the first data unit;
- a second data port for coupling to a second data unit;
- a second transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the second data unit;
- a multiport interconnection circuit consisting of one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway, coupled to pass digital data between said coaxial cable modem and said first and second transceivers;
- a processor coupled to control and monitor said first and second transceivers and said coaxial cable modem;
- a first storage member coupled to said processor for storing a first address that uniquely identifies said device in a digital data network; and
- a single enclosure housing said coaxial connector, said coaxial cable modem, said first filter, said first and second data ports, said first and second transceivers, said multiport interconnection circuit, said processor and said first storage member.
2. The device according to claim 1, further operative for coupling a CATV video signal to a CATV unit, the coaxial cable being connected for concurrently carrying the CATV video signal in the CATV video frequency band using frequency division multiplexing, said device further comprising:
- a coaxial jack for connecting to the CATV unit to conduct the CATV video signal to the CATV unit; and
- a second filter coupled between said coaxial connector and said coaxial jack for substantially passing only signals in the CATV video frequency band between the coaxial cable and the CATV unit.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the coaxial cable is connected outside the building to a CATV service provider; communication over the coaxial cable is based on cable modem standards; and said device is further operative as a cable modem or a set-top-box.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first address is one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a Media Access Control (MAC) address.
5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage member for storing a second address.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein each of the first and second addresses is associated with a respective distinct functionality of said device.
7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: a voltage sensor, a continuity detector, a communication activity detector; and a connected device status detector, and wherein said sensor is coupled to said processor.
8. The device according to claim 7, further operative to send messages to a remote data unit over the coaxial cable, and wherein the messages include status information associated with said sensor.
9. The device according to claim 1, further connectable to the Internet via the coaxial cable, and wherein said device is remotely manageable by a remote data unit communicating with said device through the Internet.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication with the first data unit is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication over a wired medium and wherein said first data port is a first data connector.
11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the communication with the first data unit is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.
12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3, 10BaseT, or 100BaseT, and said first data connector is a RJ-45 jack.
13. The device according to claim 10, wherein the communication with each of the first and second data units is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.
14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:
- a form substantially similar to that of a standard CATV outlet;
- wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard CATV wall outlet;
- a shape allowing direct mounting in a CATV outlet receptacle or opening; and
- a form to at least in part substitute for a standard CATV outlet.
15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is pluggable into and attachable to a CATV outlet.
16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on a wall of the building.
17. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a LAN coupled to said device.
18. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a Wide Area Network (WAN) coupled to said device.
19. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage member storing a second address, and wherein the first address is associated with said first data port and the second address is associated with said second data port.
20. The device according to claim 1, further operative for coupling a CATV video signal to a CATV unit, and wherein said device further comprises a coaxial jack coupled to said coaxial connector for conducting the CATV video signal to and from the CATV unit.
21. The device according to claim 1, wherein the coaxial cable is at least in part in walls of the building, and said coaxial cable modem is operative to communicate with another modem of the same type in the building.
22. A wall-mounted device for coupling a data unit in a building to the Internet over a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from a CATV video frequency band, said device comprising:
- a coaxial connector for connecting to the coaxial cable;
- a coaxial cable modem for transmitting and receiving digital data over the coaxial cable;
- a first filter coupled between said coaxial connector and said coaxial cable modem for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band;
- a first data port for coupling to a first data unit;
- a first transceiver coupled between said coaxial cable modem and said first data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the first data unit;
- a processor coupled to control and monitor said first transceiver and said coaxial cable modem;
- a first storage member coupled to said processor for storing a first address that uniquely identifies said device in a digital data network; and
- a single enclosure housing said coaxial connector, said coaxial cable modem, said first filter, said first data port, said first transceiver, said processor and said first storage member,
- wherein said single enclosure is mountable onto a CATV outlet opening.
23. The device according to claim 22, further operative for coupling a CATV video signal to a CATV unit, the coaxial cable being connected for concurrently carrying the CATV video signal in the CATV video frequency band using frequency division multiplexing, said device further comprising:
- a coaxial jack for connecting to the CATV unit to conduct the CATV video signal to the CATV unit; and
- a second filter coupled between said coaxial connector and said coaxial jack for substantially passing only signals in the CATV video frequency band between the coaxial cable and the CATV unit.
24. The device according to claim 22, further comprising:
- a second data port for coupling to a second data unit;
- a second transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the second data unit; and
- a multiport interconnection circuit consisting of one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway, coupled to pass digital data between said coaxial cable modem and said first and second transceivers.
25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the communication with each of the first and second data units is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.
26. The device according to claim 24, further comprising a second storage member for storing a second address, and wherein the first address is associated with said first data port and the second address is associated with said second data port.
27. The device according to claim 22, wherein: the coaxial cable is connected outside the building to a CATV service provider; communication over the coaxial cable is based on a CATV standard; and the device is further operative as a cable modem or a set-top-box.
28. The device according to claim 22, wherein the first address is one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a Media Access Control (MAC) address.
29. The device according to claim 22, further comprising a second storage member for storing a second address.
30. The device according to claim 29, wherein each of the first and second addresses is associated with a respective distinct functionality of said device.
31. The device according to claim 22, further comprising at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: a voltage sensor, a continuity detector, a communication activity detector; and a connected device status detector, and wherein said sensor is coupled to said processor.
32. The device according to claim 31, further operative to send messages to a remote data unit over the coaxial cable, and wherein the messages include status information associated with said sensor.
33. The device according to claim 22, further connectable to the Internet via the coaxial cable, and wherein said device is remotely manageable by a remote data unit connected to said device through the Internet.
34. The device according to claim 22, wherein the communication with the first data unit is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication over a wired medium, and wherein said first data port is a first data connector.
35. The device according to claim 34, wherein the communication with the first data unit is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.
36. The device according to claim 35, wherein the communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3, 10BaseT, or 100BaseT, and said first data connector is a RJ-45 jack.
37. The device according to claim 22, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:
- a form substantially similar to that of a standard CATV outlet;
- wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard CATV wall outlet;
- a shape allowing direct mounting in a CATV outlet receptacle or opening; and
- a form to at least in part substitute for a standard CATV outlet.
38. The device according to claim 22, wherein said device is pluggable into and attachable to a CATV outlet.
39. The device according to claim 22, wherein said single enclosure is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on a wall of the building.
40. The device according to claim 22, wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a LAN coupled to said device.
41. The device according to claim 22, wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a Wide Area Network (WAN) coupled to said device.
42. The device according to claim 22, further operative for coupling a CATV video signal to a CATV unit, wherein said device further comprises a coaxial jack coupled to said coaxial connector for coupling a CATV video signal to the CATV unit.
43. The device according to claim 22, wherein the coaxial cable is at least in part in walls of the building, and said coaxial cable modem is operative to communicate with another modem of the same type in the building.
44. A system in a building for coupling a data unit to the Internet via a home network and a Wide Area Network (WAN), said system comprising:
- a coaxial cable that forms a part of the home network and that is at least in part in walls of the building and is accessible at an outlet opening, said coaxial cable being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from a CATV video frequency band,
- a residential gateway housed in a single enclosure and comprising a coaxial connector for connecting to said coaxial cable at a first connection point, and a WAN port couplable to a Wide Area Network (WAN) for connecting to the Internet, said gateway being operative to pass digital data between the WAN and said coaxial cable;
- a first adapter connected to said coaxial cable at a second connection point distinct from said first connection point and couplable to a first data unit, said first adapter being operative for passing digital data between said coaxial cable and the first data unit; and
- a single enclosure housing said first adapter, wherein said residential gateway and said first adapter are each addressable in a digital data network.
45. The system according to claim 44, wherein said first adapter is further connectable to a first CATV unit.
46. The system according to claim 45, wherein said coaxial cable is further connected to concurrently carry a CATV video signal using frequency division multiplexing (FDM), and wherein said first adapter is further operative to pass the CATV video signal between said coaxial cable and the first CATV unit.
47. The system according to claim 44, wherein said residential gateway is further connectable to a first CATV unit.
48. The system according to claim 47, wherein said coaxial cable is further connected to concurrently carry a CATV video signal using frequency division multiplexing (FDM), and wherein said residential gateway is further operative to pass the CATV video signal between said coaxial cable and the first CATV unit.
49. The system according to claim 44, further comprising: a second adapter connected to said coaxial cable at a third connection point distinct from said first and second connection points and couplable to a second data unit; and a further single enclosure housing said second adapter, said second adapter being operative for passing digital data between said coaxial cable and the second data unit; wherein said second adapter is addressable in the digital data network.
50. The system according to claim 49, wherein said first and second adapters are further operative to communicate with each other over said coaxial cable.
51. The system according to claim 49, wherein the communication with each of the first and second data units is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.
52. The system according to claim 44, wherein said residential gateway further comprises one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway coupled between said WAN port and said coaxial connector.
53. The system according to claim 44, wherein said first adapter comprises one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway for coupling between said coaxial cable and the first data unit.
54. The system according to claim 44, wherein the WAN is based on a wired connection outside the building for connection to the Internet.
55. The system according to claim 54, wherein: said WAN is based on said coaxial cable or a further coaxial cable that is connected outside the building to a CATV service provider: communication over said coaxial cable or the further coaxial cable is based on CATV standards; and said residential gateway is further operative to function as a coaxial cable modem or a set top box.
56. The system according to claim 54, wherein the WAN is based on a CATV system, and said residential gateway further comprises a coaxial cable modem.
57. The system according to claim 44, wherein the WAN is based on a non-wired connection outside the building for connecting to the Internet.
58. The system according to claim 57, wherein the WAN is operative to perform wireless terrestrial or satellite communication.
59. The system according to claim 44, wherein one of said residential gateway and said first adapter has a first address that is an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address.
60. The system according to claim 59, wherein the other one of said residential gateway and said first adapter has a second address.
61. The system according to claim 60, wherein each of the first and second addresses is associated with a respectively different distinct functionality of the respective one of said residential gateway and said first adapter.
62. The system according to claim 44, wherein at least one of said residential gateway and said first adapter further comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: a voltage sensor; a continuity detector; a communication activity detector; and a connected device status detector.
63. The system according to claim 62, wherein at least one of said residential gateway and said first adapter is further operative to send messages to a remote data unit over said coaxial cable, and wherein the messages include status information associated with said sensor.
64. The system according to claim 44, wherein at least one of said residential gateway and said first adapter is remotely manageable by a remote data unit connected through the Internet.
65. The system according to claim 44, wherein communication with the first data unit is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication over a wired medium via a first data connector.
66. The system according to claim 65, wherein the communication with the first data unit is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.
67. The system according to claim 66, wherein the communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3, 10BaseT, or 100BaseT, and the first data connector is a RJ-45 jack.
68. The system according to claim 44, wherein said single enclosure of said first adapter is constructed to have at least one of the following:
- a form substantially similar to that of a standard CATV outlet;
- wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard CATV wall outlet;
- a shape allowing direct mounting in a CATV outlet receptacle or opening; and
- a form to at least in part substitute for a standard CATV outlet.
69. The system according to claim 44, wherein said first adapter is pluggable into and attachable to a CATV outlet.
70. The system according to claim 44, wherein said single enclosure of said first adapter is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on a wall of the building.
71. The system according to claim 44, wherein said first adapter is operative to identify and compose messages carried by a LAN and associated with the address of said first adapter.
72. The system according to claim 44, wherein said residential gateway is operative to identify and compose messages that are carried by the WAN coupled to the residential gateway and that are associated with the address of said residential gateway.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 29, 2008
Publication Date: Aug 28, 2008
Patent Grant number: 7911992
Applicant: SERCONET LTD. (Ra'anana)
Inventor: Yehuda BINDER (Hod Hasharon)
Application Number: 12/021,912
International Classification: H04M 11/00 (20060101);